Procedural rules re administrative enforcement of antiprice monopoly

On 29 December 2010, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) issued rules entitled Procedural Rules on Administrative Enforcement of Anti-price Monopoly (procedural rules). These procedural rules provide further guidance as to how Chapter 6 of the Anti-Monopoly Law (AML), entitled "Investigation of Alleged Monopoly Acts" operate. Chapter 6 of the AML outlines the investigation powers of the antimonopoly authorities.

This is the first time that the NDRC has issued any procedural rules in respect of the AML.

These procedural rules are expected to work hand-in-hand with the Rules on Anti-Price Monopoly also issued by the NDRC on the same date (for an overview of the Rules on Anti-Price Monopoly, please see our article dated 30 December 2010 entitled "Rules on Anti-Price Monopoly – effective 1 February 2011" ).